Act 1 — 000 Scene II. A room in Leonato’s house.
Reading edition
000 Scene II. A room in Leonato’s house.
MAAN I. 2 Enter Leonato and Antonio, meeting.
Leon. How now, brother! Where is my cousin, your son? hath he provided this music?
Ant. He is very busy about it. But, brother, I can tell 004 you strange news, that you yet dreamt not of.
005 Leon. Are they good?
006 Ant. As the event stamps them: but they have a good cover; they show well outward. The prince and Count 008 Claudio, walking in a thick-pleached alley in mine orchard, 009 were thus much overheard by a man of mine: the prince 010 discovered to Claudio that he loved my niece your daughter, and meant to acknowledge it this night in a dance; 012 and if he found her accordant, he meant to take the present time by the top, and instantly break with you of it.
Leon. Hath the fellow any wit that told you this?
015 Ant. A good sharp fellow: I will send for him; and question him yourself.
Leon. No, no; we will hold it as a dream till it appear 018 itself: but I will acquaint my daughter withal, that she may 019 be the better prepared for an answer, if peradventure this be 020 true. Go you and tell her of it. [Enter attendants.] Cousins, you know what you have to do. O, I cry you mercy, friend; go you with me, and I will use your skill. Good 023 cousin, have a care this busy time. [Exeunt.